Brett Veach prioritizing re-signing Chris Jones, L'Jarius Sneed

[RunKC]

What some of us have been wondering...

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said he is aware of the challenge the organization faces in re-signing both defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed but said it would be an offseason priority to get both players under new contracts.

"Sometimes I look at our situation and I'm like, 'I don't know how we're going to do this,' but we usually work through things systematically and have a list of the priorities,'' Veach said as the Chiefs continued preparations for Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers. "Certainly, Chris and LJ are at the top of the list.

"It's extremely hard because you have two keystone players there.''

Jones, 29, has been one of the NFL's top pass-rushers for years. He had 10.5 sacks this season to tie for the team lead after missing training camp and the first regular-season game while holding out for a new contract.

He didn't get the extension he was looking for, but the Chiefs sweetened the final season of his existing contract.

"It was important for us to mend the fences with Chris because we love him and he's an iconic player here, not just here, but I mean of all time,'' Veach said. "That was important for us, and we'll continue to work hard and see if we can get something done, but it will be a priority for us.''

The Chiefs used Sneed, 27, this season to defend against the opponent's top receiver much of the time, and none had big games against him.

Jones and Sneed are key players for an improved Chiefs defense that allowed fewer points than all but one other team during the regular season and held the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens to 41 total points in the playoffs.

The Chiefs had defenses that were at times competitive since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018, but rarely were they consistently so. Veach and the Chiefs found the task of building a top defense difficult because the past few seasons they were carrying Mahomes' massive contract.

"I still remember in '17 and '18 just saying if we can just get them to punt just once we've got a shot,'' Veach said. "Now all of a sudden it's like all we've got to do is just score once and we're good.

"Going from where we were in '17 and '18 to having one of the best defenses, knowing the constraints we had of just paying [Mahomes] and probably drafting later [in rounds], I don't think I ever envisioned having a top one or two defense.''

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-ljarius-sneed

[T-post Tom]

Originally Posted by BossChief

They aren’t going to tag CJ.

Sneed is getting the tag, but I think he could sign an extension before the tag is even needed.

BV will get a deal done with Snead without needing the tag. I predict the tag will go to CJ prior to his trade. This is probably CJ’s last contract and he is going to want to empty the Hunt coffers. Chiefs will not let CJ walk without some form of compensation outside of the potential compensatory draft pick. Time will tell.

[Brooklyn]

It never gets used anymore due to risk, but how about transition tagging Jones?

Gives us the chance to match any offer, if we don’t, no compensation. Which is the same as if we just let him walk because the franchise tag is used already on Sneed.

If the market doesn’t come back to Chris, and interest might be tempered it if teams know we can match. If that happens then we get him below $30mm and maybe can work it. I’m sure if some team wanted to give him that contract last year, it would have happened.

Not sure what that ties up on our cap, if anything but I am sure Veach and team have some ideas. Hopefully we don’t need Tillis to navigate.

[Coogs]

If Jones really wants to be in KC, let him go test the market to see what he can get. Bring that offer back to Veach and see if we can match, or work out something close to that offer that keeps him in KC like he says he wants.

That allows us to see whats available at other positions of need too, instead of tying out hands behind our back in free agency. That would happen with placing the tag on Jones.

[Sofa King]

Originally Posted by Coogs

If Jones really wants to be in KC, let him go test the market to see what he can get. Bring that offer back to Veach and see if we can match, or work out something close to that offer that keeps him in KC like he says he wants.

That allows us to see whats available at other positions of need too, instead of tying out hands behind our back in free agency. That would happen with placing the tag on Jones.

They'll make the contract impossible to match. Essentially the poison pill where some team with a shitload of cap will front load it so hard we can't match it. If he hits the market it's already too late and he's gone.

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by BossChief

They aren’t going to tag CJ.

Sneed is getting the tag, but I think he could sign an extension before the tag is even needed.

SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK

[O.city]

Once guys hit the market, they aren't likely coming back.

It's fine guys, it is what it is.

[tredadda]

Decisions like this are why what KC is doing is so phenomenal. The dynasties of the 90s and before did not have to deal with FA and a salary cap like KC does. It made keeping the best players much easier than now.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Sofa King

They'll make the contract impossible to match. Essentially the poison pill where some team with a shitload of cap will front load it so hard we can't match it. If he hits the market it's already too late and he's gone.

If we let him test the market the poison pill doesn’t matter. If he finds his worth, bring it back to Veach. At that point, is it about the money, or staying in KC? Provided Veach will go close to his market value.

[Coogs]

Didn’t Trent Williams just do that 3 or 4 years ago. Veach offered him, and he took a similar number, maybe even less, to stay a 49er?

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Didn’t Trent Williams just do that 3 or 4 years ago. Veach offered him, and he took a similar number, maybe even less, to stay a 49er?

If for no other reason than taxes, Trent definitely took less to stay there.

[BWillie]

#1 priority should be to get an "X" wide receiver then figure out what to do with Sneed and Jones. I can't imagine that they pay Jones. He'll be 30 next year

[pugsnotdrugs19]

One caveat that got thrown in this year is back in August when they were offering Chris 27.5 AAV... I don't think they planned to keep LJ at the time. Certainly not at the price tag he now warrants. He missed all of camp with a knee issue.

So now that they probably feel he's a $15-20m AAV player, that changes the picture for Chris a ton even on a 'discount'.

[O.city]

I love Sneed, would love to keep him.

But they've also been able to draft CB's like gangbusters, and the DT spot is thin.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by O.city

I love Sneed, would love to keep him.

But they've also been able to draft CB's like gangbusters, and the DT spot is thin.

Here's the thing on that though. Sneed has been here all four years. McDuffie came out a stud.

Yes I love Dave Merritt, but maybe these are just really good players and we need to keep them? Sneed's skill set and ability to press anyone and everyone is unique. The versatility is special.

I think Watson and Williams are #3 corners at the very best.

[Shag]

Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

I can't see the Chiefs dealing much further with Jones' idiot agents. They will probably offer him a fair deal and move on.

Blows my mind CJ has kept these chodes as agents after how badly they bungled things last season.